Aboard their timeless Riva Iseo, Lady Mirela and Sir Andrew Cook have claimed the 2024 Riva Trophy at the 15th edition of the event, which was held between the Principality of Monaco and Saint Tropez.
On Saturday 29th June, owners of Riva vessels of all ages gathered in Port Hercule for the first leg of the race. Though the unfavourable conditions dissuaded some sailors from completing the course, which ran along the Riviera coastline to the glamourous harbour town of Saint Topez, there were still many who braved the wind and the waves.
Those who made the journey were greeted at La Serena on Pampelonne Beach by the event’s organisers, Monaco Boat Service, with a lunch accompanied by live music and a fashion show.
The day concluded with a dinner party hosted by Lia Riva, the daughter of Carlo Riva, the brand’s famous founder, and the owner of Monaco Boat Service, at the Musée de l’Annonciade. Alongside the gourmet accoutrements, guests were invited to try out the museum’s immersive 3D art experience, which recreates Claude Monet’s studio.
Olympian Kory Tarpenning and Paolo Ghigo, the head of Yacht Club de Monaco’s competitive performance teams, were among the soirée’s special guests and they led an informal discussion on how Olympic values intersect with the Riva legacy and brand. The evening ended with a DJ set by Jack.e, the resident DJ at Saint Tropez’s famous Les Caves du Roy.
The next day, Sunday 30th June, a brunch was held at the Saint Tropez Lounge Club. Later, Riva boats paraded through the town’s iconic port for the annual Riva Trophy Elegance Contest, which this year had an Olympic theme. They were judged on their efforts by a panel led by Lia Riva, Kory Tarpenning, Paolo Ghigo and Helga Piaget, the president of Passion Sea. The Elegance Contest was won by Le Rivale for its interpretation of the Winter Olympics.
Guests also enjoyed test drives in a new Range Rover Vogue before returning to Monaco for a gala dinner at the Yacht Club de Monaco. During the ceremony, luxury prizes and exclusive brand experiences were awarded to lucky event participants.
It was there that the overall winner of the 2024 Riva Trophy was announced: Lady Mirela, the Riva Iseo crewed by Sir Andrew Cook and Lady Mirela Dracini-Cook.
“Being part of the Riva family is an experience like no other, filled with passion and the legacy of excellence that my father Carlo passed down to me and to all clients that choose to have some of Riva yachts,” said Lia Riva following the event. “Let’s keep the excitement alive and continue celebrating the beauty of living the Riva way! See you in 2026!”
To see more from the event, watch the Monaco Life Instagram reel below:
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Photo credit: Riva Trophy / Monaco Boat Service